Cigarette pull tab ejector and the like packages



Aug. 6, 1957 T. WILL CIGARETTE PL JLL TAB EJECTOR AND THE LIKE PACKAGES Filed Sept. 13, 1954' 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR,

fi l/5000M Wu BY ATTORNEY T. WILL Aug. 6, 1957 CIGARETTE PULL TAB EJECTOR AND THE LIKE PACKAGES 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 13, 1954 JNVENTOR. 72 500025 WM. 8 70,975)

United States CIGARETTE PULL TAE EJECTOR AND THE LIKE PACKAGES Theodore Will, Hollis, N. Y., assignor to Fund-Del lnc., Syosset, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application September 13, 1954,581'1'33] No. 455,422

2 Claims. (01.221-260 This invention relates to new and useful improvements in 'cigaretteejector devices for cigarette packs or packa es.

lvlore particularly, the present invention proposes the construction-of an improved cigarettepull-tab ejector for cigarette packages which can beused in the usual paper package to raise cigarettes from the package after a corner of the package has been opened so that one or more cigarettes can easily be removed from the package.

As a further object, the present invention proposes forming the pull-tab ejector in a thin long strip of inexpensive flexible paper with an anchor leg or legs and a pull-tab ejector leg so that when the latter leg is pulled cigarettes are raised in staggered form from the package.

Still further, the present invention proposes constructing the pull-tab ejector strip with a cross platform member which will underlie the bottom ends of the cigarettes in the pack other than those being raised to anchor the anchor leg in the package.

Another object of the present invention proposes providing adhesive means to hold the anchor leg to the cigarette package in a manner which will not interfere with the operation of the pull-tab ejector leg.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. l is a perspective view of an open cigarette package with a cigarette pull-tab ejector strip constructed and arranged in accordance with thepresent invention, some cigarettes being shown in raised position.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cigarette pull-tab ejector strip flattened out.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the cigarette pull-tab ejector strip in folded position.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the other side of the folded strip.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the package and strip shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the package before it is opened.

Figs. 7 and 8 are views similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating modifications of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a similar view to Fig. 3 of the modified form of the invention shown in Fig. 8.

The cigarette pull-tab ejector, in accordance with the first form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, is a long, thin, flexible strip 15, preferably of paper but which may be made of plastic, metal or other suitable like material.

Pulltab ejector strip 15 is split lengthwise substantially its full length either being formed in this fashion or cut. Strip 15 has an undivided end 16 and a split end 'ice . 2 17 with two parallel legs 18 and 19 substantially of the same width, such width, preferably, being substantially the diameter of a cigarette.

Legs 18 and 19 run lengthwise of the strip 15 and are joined together at point 20 on the undivided end portion 16 of the strip. Leg 19 is the anchor leg and leg 18 is the pull-tab ejector leg, both legs being adapted to fit along the sides 21 and 22 and across the bottom 23 of a cigarette package 24. Leg 19 is shorter than leg18, the latter leg having a free end portion 25 adapted to fold partly across the top of cigarettes 26 and across the top of cigarette package 24 inside thepackage and adapted to project outwardly of the package when extended as shown in Fig. 1.

A cross platform member or base member 27 extends from the anchor leg 19 intermediate the free end 28 of such leg and the undivided end 16 of the strip 15. Memher 27 is adapted to fit lengthwise substantially across the bottom 23 of the cigarette package 24, and together with the leg 19 tends to anchor and steady the ejector in the package.

Spaced fold lines 30 and 31 may be provided across both legs 18 and 19 adjacent the member 27 and intermediate the ends of the strip 15. Fold lines 30 and 31 are spaced apart substantially the width of a cigarette package.

The leg member 19 guides the leg member 18 in its ejecting and return movements, and base member 27 guides the ejector device to position in the cigarette package.

In addition to anchor member 27, the undivided end 16 of strip 15 may be coated on one side with an adhesive 32 and the free end 28 on one side of anchor leg 19 may likewise be coated with the adhesive 32 so that these portions may be secured to the package 24 permanently.

To extract cigarettes 26 from the package 24, the free end portion 25 of leg 18 is extended and pulled outwardly. This raises the leg 18 in the manner shown in Fig. 5 staggering the cigarettes raised.

The modification of the invention illustrated in Fig. 7 is characterized by the provision of a cigarette pull-tab ejector in the form of a strip 40 having two legs 41 and 112 and an undivided end 43. No anchor member or cross platform member similar to member 127 is provided, but the anchor leg 4-2 serves to anchor the strip in a cigarette package. Spaced fold lines 44 and 45 may be provided and the anchor leg 42 is formed shorter than the pull-tab ejector leg 41.

in Figs. 8 and 9, the strip 50 is shown with two outer legs 51 and an inner leg 52 therebetween and an undivided end 53. Spaced fold lines 54 and 55 are provided. The anchor outer legs 51 are shorter than the inner pull-tab ejector leg 52. This latter leg may also be provided with fold lines 56 and 57 and with a finger grip extremity 58.

A pair of cross platform members 59 are also provided in this form of the invention, extending from the anchor outer legs 51 outwardly, between the fold lines 44 and 45.

It is to be understood that instead of supplying a pair of cross platform members 59, either one or both of these cross platform members may be eliminated.

The pull-tab ejecto-rs may be of any size, and material and used to eject any kind of merchandise in packages of various types.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

1. A cigarette pull-tab ejector for cigarette packages comprising a thin flexible strip having two parallel anchor legs and a pull-tab ejector leg parallel thereto and dis posed between the two anchor legs, all of said legs running lengthwise of the strip and joined together at one end, said anchor legs being shorter than said pull-tab ejector leg, said pull-tab ejector leg having a finger gripping extremity at its free end and spaced fold lines adapted to provide a fold over the top of cigarettes in a package of cigarettes, both of said anchor legs having base members extending laterally thereof between the ends thereof.

2. The combination with a cigarette package of a cigarette ejecting device, said device comprising an elongated strip of flexible material slitted centrally thereof from one end to a point remote from the other end, forming juxtaposed legs, said strip being folded at spaced intervals therealong to accommodate the strip to the inside of the cigarette package, the portion of the strip between the folds serving as an elevating flap for the cigarettes,

one leg at its end remote from the solid end of the strip extending beyond the end of the other leg, forming an extension adapted to be folded over the cigarettes in the cigarette package and serving as a fingerpiece when extended for lifting said lifting flap, the solid end of the strip and the free end of the short leg being attached to the inside surface of the cigarette package, the longer leg being unattached, the attached shorter leg serving to guide the longer leg in its ejecting and return movements, and a base member extending laterally from the shorter attached leg intermediate its ends and overlying the bottom of the cigarette package for substantially the entire area of the bottom for guiding the ejecting device to position inside the package and for steadying and anchoring the device when positioned inside the package.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS Hadley Jan. 25, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS 

